Pulaski County is bringing its parcel transfer fee in line with state regulations. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county council Monday that her office had charged five dollars for transfers of deeds, but the state has raised the fee to $10.
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The Pulaski County Council narrowly approved a list of tax abatement renewals Monday, despite concerns about one business’s compliance. FRATCO’s paperwork drew the attention of Council Member Kathi Thompson. She pointed out that while the business was meeting its requirement for the number of employees, the total salaries that were listed fell short of projections.
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The Pulaski County Council will continue looking for ways to cut expenses tonight. For the past month, the council has been meeting with department heads for preliminary discussions on their 2020 budgets. The goal is to avoid a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years. Meeting with the council tonight will be the two courts and Probation Office, according to the Auditor’s Office.
Continue readingPulaski County’s preliminary fiscal plan is now officially public record. The county council voted unanimously last week to authorize Auditor Laura Wheeler to release the plan to members of the public, if requested.
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Some Pulaski County Highway Department employees will have to wait a bit longer before finding out whether they’ll get a pay raise. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff asked the county council last week for a final decision on the pay rate for seasonal employees. “The seasonal is the mower guys and what we’re doing, the blacktop and everything, in the summertime,” Ruff explained.
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The Pulaski County Commissioners may appoint a new veterans service officer this morning. They were initially scheduled to make an appointment back in May, but the process was delayed after a district officer from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs pointed out that there were several requirements that weren’t in the county’s job description.
Continue readingPulaski County sheriff’s deputies have been busy recently, and that’s led to a significant shortfall in the department’s overtime budget. The county council voted Monday to transfer a total of $27,000 out of the deputy salary and part-time dispatcher salary line items, to fill the gap.
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As the Pulaski County Maintenance Department prepares to take over lawn care at county properties, the county council has approved a funding measure that would allow the department to keep its new part-time employee.
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The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department has a new law enforcement tool. Chris Schramm discussed a recent drone purchase with the county commissioners last week.
Continue readingPulaski County government offices with technology needs will now have to find money to pay for them out of their own budgets. For the past few years, those expenses had come under the IT Department’s budget, but it was recently disbanded, after it apparently used up all its money for the year. Last week, the commissioners officially voted to have individual departments cover their own IT costs, until they can reach a long-term solution.
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The Pulaski County Public Library will be able to issue bonds for lead dust and asbestos remediation. The county council passed a resolution Monday allowing the library to borrow $1.75 million, pending the review of County Attorney Kevin Tankersley. Of that, $1.45 million will go toward construction costs.
Testing has revealed the presence of asbestos in the Pulaski County Courthouse, but not as much as county officials may have expected. Courthouse project liaison Nathan Origer told the county commissioners that samples were taken from various locations inside and outside the historic building. If you think that you have the presence of asbestos we recommend you to contact asbestos survey birmingham to find out what is the status of this in your home or business.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Public Library may be moving ahead with a bond issuance. Library Attorney Justin Schramm is expected to discuss it with the county council tonight. Officials have been working on plans for lead dust and asbestos remediation in nonpublic areas of the Winamac library.
Continue readingPulaski County’s judges are worried that resistance from the auditor and county attorney is putting court programs in jeopardy.
In a lengthy and heated discussion during Monday’s county commissioners meeting, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker said the county’s seen great success with its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, but when coordinator Dr. Natalie Daily Federer tried to renew its funding, Auditor Laura Wheeler prevented it.
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Pulaski County may be sticking with its current health insurance company for a while longer, as more research is done about a potential switch. County officials decided to revisit insurance options this year, with the hope of finding some cost savings.
Continue readingAs Pulaski County officials consider ways to address facilities needs while also stabilizing the county’s finances, questions are being raised about why one facilities option hasn’t gotten more attention. Last month, County Council Member Rudy DeSabatine said someone has offered to build a brand new building and rent it to the county for $20 per square foot per year, which could be much cheaper than the other ideas being considered.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council passed an ordinance Monday that could allow property taxes to increase by “thawing” the county’s levy freeze. But one council member pointed out that another measure to balance the county’s tax structure had already been agreed upon but never been implemented.
Continue readingAn ordinance paving the way for a potential property tax increase was adopted by the Pulaski County Council Monday, but not without some opposition. The county council voted four-to-two to “thaw” the county’s property tax levy freeze. That means the tax levy may increase within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
Continue readingAs the Pulaski County Council works to avert a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years, members want to meet with department heads to discuss potential budget cuts. During last week’s regular meeting, council members spent over 20 minutes trying to schedule a round of preliminary budget meetings, before the usual budget discussions in August.
Continue readingAn ordinance to “thaw” Pulaski County’s property tax levy freeze will be up for final approval during a special county council meeting tonight. The measure would allow the tax levy to increase within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
Continue readingThe company that handles Pulaski County’s tax sales is raising its prices. SRI is raising its tax sale fees from $75 to $100 per parcel, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler. She told the county commissioners last week that cost is typically passed along to the buyers.
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